Why stop at Sunday? Beyond the Sermon is where we go beyond the Sunday sermon and talk about the real questions of faith, life, and everything in between. From the tough questions to the everyday moments that test what we believe, each episode takes you deeper into the topics that shape how we live and follow Jesus today.
Psalm 23 Explained: The Hidden Meaning People Miss & What "The Lord Is My Shepherd" Really Means
Why is Psalm 23 one of the most loved passages in the entire Bible? What did David really mean when he wrote, "The Lord is my shepherd"?In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Andrew Chisholm and Matt explore the deeper meaning of Psalm 23, looking beyond familiar words to uncover the powerful imagery, historical background, and life experiences that shaped one of Scripture's most famous psalms.Together they discuss why the shepherd metaphor has connected with people for thousands of years, how David's own experiences as a shepherd and later as a fugitive shaped the psalm, and why the line "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" may carry a much deeper meaning than many readers realise.The conversation also explores how biblical poetry works, why metaphors matter, and how Psalm 23 can still speak into seasons of uncertainty, grief, change, leadership, and everyday life. Andrew shares personal reflections from different seasons of ministry and explains how understanding David's story can transform the way we read this remarkable psalm today.Whether you've read Psalm 23 hundreds of times or you're discovering it for the first time, this conversation offers fresh insights that will deepen your understanding of one of the Bible's most treasured passages.
2 Dec 2025
Why Does God Allow Suffering? Answering the Hard Question of Why Is There Pain in the World
This week, Shelley and Andrew tackle one of the hardest and most honest questions anyone can ask:If God is good and all-powerful, why is there so much suffering in the world?From earthquakes that shattered entire cities to the quiet personal pain that shakes someone’s faith, we dig into why this question hits so deeply, and why the answers aren’t neat, tidy, or easy.We explore how different worldviews approach suffering, why the Western mind finds this question uniquely confronting, and how our instinct for logic and control makes suffering feel like a contradiction to God’s goodness.Andrew shares insights from history, Scripture, and his own faith journey, and we look at what Christianity uniquely offers:A God who doesn’t just watch suffering from a distance but enters it.A God who knows pain, carries it, and walks with us through it.We also unpack:– Why logical answers often fail people in real pain– What the Book of Job teaches about comfort, doubt, and presence– How suffering can shape us without being simplified or dismissed– Why future hope matters and when it’s the wrong thing to say– How to walk with someone hurting when you don’t have answersThis episode isn’t about fixing the problem of suffering, it’s about facing it with honesty, compassion, and a God who suffers with us.
24 Nov 2025
How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell? The Truth About Hell, Heaven, and Why Our Choices Matter
This week we’re tackling one of the toughest questions people ask about Christianity:How can a loving God send people to hell?Shelley and Clem dive straight into the tension from the idea of eternal punishment, to why the concept feels offensive, to how pop culture, Dante’s Inferno, and centuries of imagery have shaped the way we picture hell.They break down what the Bible actually says about heaven and hell, why Jesus talked about both, and how the idea of free will changes the whole conversation. We explore the difference between God “sending” someone to hell versus people choosing separation from Him, and how thinkers like C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller frame hell as the natural outcome of rejecting God, not a divine torture chamber.Later, Shelley and Clem talk about sin, justice, and why the cross makes no sense unless hell is real and why God’s love always includes both mercy and justice. They unpack why free will matters, why real love can’t be forced, and why heaven is ultimately about choosing to be with God, not just being “a good person.”Click here if you said “yes” to following Jesus or want to get in contact with us:https://linktr.ee/citylifechurchonline (https://linktr.ee/citylifechurchonline)
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